Through all kinds of music, Alexa and Justin Haynes-Pilon are side by side onstage and off  *** If music be the food of love, Alexa and Justin Haynes-Pilon play on.   The couple will be featured in Musica Angelica’s concerts in the First Congregational Church of Long Beach on Jan. 31 (repeated in the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles on Feb. 1), and the title of the concert seems to refer directly to them: "Valentine to the Viola da Gamba"   They’ll be playing the vi

By Kathryn Wells If you walk into Elyse Gordon’s home, the first thing you notice are the photos—dozens of children from every background lining the walls. In one hallway, each picture is labeled with a first name and dates, a record that represents about half of the 143 children she fostered from 1983 through her retirement. As a former foster child, I know how much it means to see proof that someone chose to show up. That’s why I wanted to tell Elyse’s story.  She chose fos

Story and Photos by  Brittany Hart Scholten Not every street in Long Beach can brag of a centenarian, but Rosebay Street sure can! This September, Mia Lipski, who moved onto the street in 1958 with her late husband, Alexander, celebrated her 100th birthday at her home of nearly seven decades, surrounded by friends, family, and neighbors. “The neighborhood party meant a lot to her because she has made so many friends there over the years, and she believes that, ‘You shall love

Photo of Jim Trout by Monique Kuhlman Parade photos submitted by the Daisy Lane Parade By Brittany Hart Scholten If you’ve driven down Daisy Avenue around the holidays, you’ve surely seen adorable Christmas scenes lit up on the grassy center divider. Daisy Avenue Christmas Tree Lane and Parade is put on by a group of committed community volunteers each year and has been a community effort for over 70 years.  Jim Trout, Community Hero Jim Trout is one of those volunteers who h

By John Grossi | Photos submitted by Port City Tavern Port City Tavern has become one of the most popular neighborhood bars in Long Beach since it opened in 2020, thanks in part to their cocktail program, events, and overall creativity when it comes to curating local fun. But owner, Dylan Davis, and his young group of energetic and talented staff, especially show-off during the holidays. Sticking true to their year-round Long Beach “Port City” pride, “Nauti or Nice” is a naut

By Gina Valencia For Eloisa Nuñez, Christmas doesn’t begin with gift lists and shopping. It begins with laughter, the sound of family singing villancicos navideños (traditional festive Mexican Christmas carols), and the sweet aromas of cinnamon, fruit, chocolate, and holiday dishes simmering slowly on the stove.  For many Mexican families like Eloisa’s, Christmas isn’t a single day but a season that begins on December 12, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (the patroness of M

By Kathleen Mest With distant memories of large Christmas Eve parties and midnight mass, I wanted to reacquaint myself with some of the Filipino holiday traditions that I grew up with. What I found were traditions based on food (lots of it), the parol and a reawakening of cultural identity. The Feast The big celebration including food, games, singing, and extended family occurs on Noche Buena  (Christmas Eve), prior to midnight mass. This is the last mass of Simbang Gabi , th

By John Grossi | Photo by Monique Kuhlman Innovation.  nnovation sounds great, but when it comes to taking the leap, it can be downright scary. Especially when you’re talking about your own home. Your own money. Your own life. Everyone has an idea of their “dream home.” But how do you know whether it’s the right time to completely transform the home you’re “comfortable in” to the home you’ve always wanted? According to General Contractor Takis Bilios, it’s not just knowing th

By Gina Valencia Photos submitted by Long Beach Ballet Each December, Long Beach transforms into a world of snowflakes, soldiers, and sugar plum fairies when the Long Beach Ballet presents its annual production of The Nutcracker . Now in its 43rd season, the show fills the Terrace Theater with dazzling sets, pyrotechnics, and a live orchestra that brings Tchaikovsky’s score to life. Artistic Director David Wilcox has created what many consider the most spectacular Nutcracker

By Brittany Hart Scholten | Photo by Monique Kuhlman Friendship, persistence, and community strength are all behind the story of Sugar Cove. Over 12 years ago, Kara Connell and Kelly Bockrath (best friends, roommates, and Long Beach locals) opened the shop together in Belmont Shore.  The idea for Sugar Cove was born out of their enthusiasm for spray tans. “We were obsessed with spray tans,” shares Kara. In the early 2010s, they were driving to Cerritos since there were no loc

Photos and Story submitted by the Eminent Giving Initiative This past July, the iconic community block party and fireworks show lit up the sky over Alamitos Bay. The summertime tradition of Big Bang on the Bay has made a lasting and charitable impact on the city of Long Beach. “This year’s Big Bang on the Bay was nothing short of extraordinary, considering the obstacles we had to endure to make it happen,” says event producer Shane Hardy, and founder of Eminent Giving Initiat

Early learning and childcare can’t be wrapped in a one-size-fits-all package.  So this holiday season, give yourself the gift of choice! The Long Beach Early Learning Hub, an online platform that connects daycares and preschools to local parents, was not only built to showcase the many options available in Long Beach, it was especially created to showcase the difference in parent’s choice, so that parents can find one that fits the parameters that matter most to them. Whether